From quattrocento to early 19th century Europe, the term “Old Master” generally refers to artists of skill who, in theory, were fully trained “Masters” of their local artists’ guilds and worked independently.
In practice, works produced by pupils, workshops, and studios of Masters are included in the term.
The term does not refer to a specific art historical style or movement.
Christie’s, using the term “Old Masters” to denote a category of painting that spans 500 years, is “redefining old masters for the 21st century global art market.”
Redefining, and re-positioning, the category for the 21st century global art market, the auction house is drawing interest from buyers in the contemporary art market and from around the world.
From artist to condition to subject to provenance, Christie’s has produced a helpful guide for buyers and prospective buyers in the Old Masters painting market: “Old Master paintings: 5 things for a new buyer to consider.
Pointers follow.
Price
Prices for Old Masters paintings realized at Christie’s range from a few thousand dollars to the hundreds of millions.
An exceptional $450,312,500 /£342,182,751 (including buyer’s premium) was realized in New York on 15 November 2017 for “Salvator Mundi”.
“Salvator Mundi” (c. 1500), attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, was sold to Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan al-Saud of Saudi Arabia, friend and associate of crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. The painting was earlier included in the National Gallery’s 2011-12 exhibition of Leonardo’s surviving paintings.
Artist
“Is the artist an established name? Is the work from a good or particularly pivotal moment in the artist’s career or development? Is the attribution given in full (or qualified as ‘Studio’/‘Circle’/ ‘Follower’ of the artist)? Is the work included inthe key literature on the artist — and if not, have the currentexperts been consulted? Has the work been included in any recentseminal exhibitions on the artist?”
Christie’s, “Old Master paintings: 5 things for a new buyer to consider”
Provenance
Which collectors have been drawn to the work and “considered it worthy of their collections”?
Which exhibitions has the work been included in and where?
Restored? “Slightly neglected?” Rare?
“It is better to invest in a slightly neglected work, which can be treated relatively easily with sensitive restoration, than in one that has been subjected to numerous campaigns of restoration in the past, some of which may have resulted in the original surface beingabraded and over-painted. If in doubt, consult a restorer.”
Christie’s, “Old Master paintings: 5 things for a new buyer to consider”
In terms of rarity, research how prolific the artist was and how frequently his work appears on the market.
When excellent condition and rarity combine, magic happens. Works can realize exceptional prices.
Subject matter
Subject matter includes royal sitters, historical figures, topographical views, city views, university towns, landscapes, still lifes.
See:
“Old Master paintings: 5 things for a new buyer to consider,” Christie’s, 25 November 2019
“Old Masters,” Artsy
Old Masters,” Christie’s
“Old Master,” Wikipedia
“Leonardo’s Salvator Mundi makes auction history”, Christie’s, 15 November 2017
David D. Kirkpatrick,“Mystery Buyer of $450 Million ‘Salvator Mundi’ Was a Saudi Prince,”New York Times, 6 December 2017